Nissan is without a doubt among the most successful carmakers in Europe. Despite the economic crisis, the Japanese auto brand has kept its head above water and largely avoided the huge crash in sales. However, this was mainly done through crossovers like the Juke and Qashqai.
They have yet to show a compact hatchback, crucial to the European success. To solve this problem, Nissan is working on a new to rival the Ford Focus and Volkswagen Golf for supremacy. If the new Note is anything to go by, efficiency and safety systems will be the main features.
Nissan already has a C-segment car in some parts of the world. It's known as the Pulsar hatch in Australia, for example, and is related to the Versa compact sedan sold in the US. To be honest, it's not exactly a looker, but it's probably the base of their new design.
Some engines will be shared with partner Renault, like the 1.5-liter dCi, probably offering a choice of 90 or 110 PS, or the bigger and more expensive 1.6-liter DCi rated at 130 PS. The top-spec model should come with the 1.6 DIG-T engine, similar to the Qashqai's and producing about 160 hp.
But these are only niggles. All Nissan are made or broke in the options sheet, and we think Park Assist, LED lights and lane-keeping sensors will be standard on mid-spec version of this Altima/Tiida.
Nissan already has a C-segment car in some parts of the world. It's known as the Pulsar hatch in Australia, for example, and is related to the Versa compact sedan sold in the US. To be honest, it's not exactly a looker, but it's probably the base of their new design.
Some engines will be shared with partner Renault, like the 1.5-liter dCi, probably offering a choice of 90 or 110 PS, or the bigger and more expensive 1.6-liter DCi rated at 130 PS. The top-spec model should come with the 1.6 DIG-T engine, similar to the Qashqai's and producing about 160 hp.
But these are only niggles. All Nissan are made or broke in the options sheet, and we think Park Assist, LED lights and lane-keeping sensors will be standard on mid-spec version of this Altima/Tiida.